Process for improving the tone of stringed instruments



Patented Mar. 29, I927.

PATENT OFFICE.

PETER BAHBEBGER, 01' DENVER, COLORADO.

PROCESS FOB. IMPROVING THE TONE OESTRINGED INSTBUIENTS- No Drawing. Application filed October 9, 1925, Serial No. 61,598, and in Germany September 15, 1825.

This invention relates to a process, and to the mediums employed in the process, for improving the tonal qualities of stringed musical instruments. While more particu-' 5 larly applicable for use on violins, it is not in any way limited to this use, for it has been found valuable when applied to any instrument employing strings, suchas violins, cellos, mandolins, guitars, pianos etc. I have found that when the sound boxes and sounding boards and other resonating portions of these instruments have been treated with the essence or juices'of vegetables that their tone is greatly improved. 5 Onion juice, obtained either by pressing raw onions or by heat or chemical means, is particularly useful for this purpose.

The preferred method of employing the process is to treat the instruments before the shellacking and polishing of the same. It can, however, be done at the same time by mixing the shellac with the vegetable juice and applying the two simultaneously. The mixture of shellac and vegetable juice is applied to the instruments with a brush and the operation is repeated one or more times, each coat beingjallowed to thoroughly dry before applying the next succeeding coat, several days being required for the treatment. The last coat should be rubbed with a woolen cloth which has been soaked in alcohol or similar spirits, and then polished with any of the usual polishing oils. Violins thus treated will show a marked improve mentin fullness of tone after several months. This improvement will continue to increase for substantially two years.

The process may be also applied by treating the raw instrument with vegetable juice, then applying a coat of shellac and repeating with alternate coats of vegetable juice, and shellac.- It has been found, however, that instruments treated in this manner require a greater length of time for the tone improvement to bcome noticeable than required in the former process.

en employing vegetable juice mixed with shellac, it has been found desirable to add a third medium such as benzine or kero-' sen to prevent cracking or peeling. I prefer to mix 100 parts of thick shellac with from 8 to 10 parts of onion juice and 8 parts of petroleum. This mixture should be allowed to stand for considerable time before using. I have found that this time may be 5 shortened by the addition of from 2 to 2 parts of zinc chloride.

It is desired to be understood thatthe word shellac occurring in the description and appended claims includes all such similar mediums such as varnish, lacquer, etc., and that the word juice includes essences and solutions of essences,

The-tone of an instrument improves with age owing to the hardening of the varnish. The hardening or aging period can be great- 1y shortened by the addition of zinc chloride to the varnish.

While I- have described in some detail one preferred method of carrying out my process, together with the theories which I believe to explain the success of the process, it is understood that my'invention is not limited to the precise procedure described nor is dependent upon the accuracy 7 of the theories advanced. On the coiitrary, my invention is not to be regarded as limited except-in so far as such limitations are included within the terms of the accompanying claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as is permissible in view of the prior art.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim and desire secured by Letters Patent is 1. A medium for the treatment of stringed musical instruments to improve their tonal qualities comprising onion juice and a varnish vehicle.

2. A medium for the treatment of stringed musical instruments to improve their tonal qualities comprising onion juice, shellac, and a distillate of petroleum.

3. A medium for the treatment of stringed instruments to improve their tonal qualities comprising onion juice, shellac and chloride of zinc.

4. A medium for the treatment of stringed instruments to improve their tonal qualities comprising substantially one hundred parts 6. A medium for the treatment of stringed of thick shellac and eight to ten parts onion instruments to improve their tonal qualities 10 juice. comprising one hundred parts of thick shel- 5. A medium for the treatment of stringed lac, eight to ten parts onion juice, eight parts 5 instruments to improve their tonal qualities kerosene, and two to two and one-half parts comprising substantially one hundred parts zinc chloride. u of thick shellac, eight to ten parts onion In testimony Whereof,I aflix my si nature. juice and eight parts kerosene. PETER BAMBERGER. 

